Hap­less Homer bad dad

HOMER Simp­son has been blamed for re­in­forc­ing neg­a­tive stereo­types about “hap­less” dads.

For­mer min­is­ter Jo Swin­son told MPs that char­ac­ters like the bum­bling Simp­sons fa­ther had played a role in “un­der­min­ing” men’s roles as par­ents.

The deputy Lib Dem leader was sup­ported by Schools Min­is­ter Nick Gibb who said light­hearted telly shows and ads can “re­in­force dam­ag­ing stereo­types”.

Ms Swin­son said: “Men’s role as fa­thers in our so­ci­ety is an in­cred­i­bly im­por­tant one that has of­ten been dis­missed.

“You just look at some of the stereo­types in pop­u­lar cul­ture, the Homer Simp­son type of dads just be­ing hap­less not be­ing able to be up to the job, when ac­tu­ally men are just ca­pa­ble as women at be­ing par­ents.”